West Chester Named a 2012-2013 Best Value Public University by Kiplinger's Personal Finance

Praised for Strong Academic Record and Great Economic Value

January 3, 2013

West Chester University has been named to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of 100 best values in public colleges for 2012-13. This is the sixth year West Chester has been included in the ranking, which cites four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value.

Kiplinger’s assesses quality according to a number of measurable standards, including the admission rate, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratio and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, abundant financial aid and low average debt at graduation.

“We applaud this year’s top 100 schools for their efforts to maintain academic standards while meeting the financial needs of their students,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

Founded in 1871, West Chester University is located on 402 acres in historic West Chester County, 25 miles from Philadelphia. A member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, the University enrolls over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students in its five colleges – arts and sciences, business and public affairs, education, health sciences, and visual and performing arts.